Drama and English BA : University of Sussex

Back to Course menu

Key information

Duration:: 3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:: AAB-ABB
UCAS code:: WQ43
Start date:: September 2020

2nd in the UK for Drama, Dance and Cinematics (The Complete University Guide 2020)
97% of School of English students were in work or further study six months after graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2017)

Pursue your interests in theatre, performance and literature.

Our Drama and English BA gives you the chance to explore theatre through a distinctive combination of practice and theory, developing your skills in performance-making and analysis.

We offer a bold, forward-thinking curriculum that allows you to study a thousand years of literature in new and progressive ways. We encourage you to experiment with writing and understand its ability to transform the world we live in.

Across the degree, you’ll examine the larger cultural forces that shape literature and performance in order to produce your own critical and creative responses to the world we live in today.

“Drama at Sussex is diverse, challenging and a lot of fun. You’re given the opportunity to study a wide range of topics.” Alice HelpsDrama Studies and English BA

Book on an Open Day

Back to Course menu

A-level

Typical offer	AAB-ABB
Subjects	A-levels must include English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature, normally at grade A.
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
Extended Project Qualification	We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer	Pass with 45 level 3 credits at Merit or above of which 24 credits must be at Distinction.
Subjects	Access to HE Diploma must contain substantial Level 3 credits in Literature (you must have at least 15 level 3 credits in Literature). Alternatively, applicants will need A-levels in English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature, normally at grade A in addition to the Access Diploma.

Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects (including A-level mixes)

Typical offer	D3, M1 and M2 in the Pre-U If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects, we would expect you to have a grade A in the A-level and D3 and M2 in the two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects, we would normally expect you to have grades AB in the two A-levels and D3 in the Pre-U.
Subjects	You must either have A-level English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature or English as one of the Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects.
GCSEs	You should also have a range of GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Typical offer

D3, M1 and M2 in the Pre-U

If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects, we would expect you to have a grade A in the A-level and D3 and M2 in the two Pre-Us.

If you have two A-levels and Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects, we would normally expect you to have grades AB in the two A-levels and D3 in the Pre-U.

Subjects

You must either have A-level English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature or English as one of the Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects.

GCSEs

You should also have a range of GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer	32-34 points overall from the full IB Diploma.
Subjects	Higher Level subjects must include English, with a final grade of 6.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level

Typical offer	Grade A in A-level, plus DM in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Subjects	A-levels must include English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature, normally at grade A.
GCSEs	You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels

Typical offer	Grades AB in A-levels plus Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Subjects	A-levels must include English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature, normally at grade A.
GCSEs	You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)

Typical offer	DDD
Subjects	The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma would normally be in Performing Arts. You will also need A-level English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language & Literature, normally at grade A in addition to the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma.
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Scottish Highers

Typical offer	AAABB-AABBB
Subjects	Highers must include English at grade A. You would also normally be expected to have an Advanced Higher in English (also at grade A).

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

Typical offer	Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-level grades AAB – ABB
Subjects	A-levels in either English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature, normally at grade A.
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer	32-34 points overall from the full IB Diploma.
Subjects	Higher Level subjects must include English, with a final grade of 6.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer	Overall result of at least 77%- 80%
Additional requirements	You will need to achieve a final mark of at least 8/10 in English.

Other international qualifications

Australia

Typical offer	Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 92% to 88% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 3 to 4 or better.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Typical offer

Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 92% to 88% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 3 to 4 or better.

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Austria

Typical offer	Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 1.8 to 2.0 or better for first-year entry.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Belgium

Typical offer	Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bulgaria

Typical offer	Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects).
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Canada

Typical offer	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AAABB-AABBB from 5 grade 12 courses. We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Typical offer

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses.

British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AAABB-AABBB from 5 grade 12 courses.

We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec.

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

China

Typical offer	We usually do not accept Senior High School Graduation for direct entry to our undergraduate courses. However, we may consider you if you have studied one year or more of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution, or if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year. If you have the Senior High School Graduation, you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex. Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

We usually do not accept Senior High School Graduation for direct entry to our undergraduate courses.

However, we may consider you if you have studied one year or more of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution, or if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year.

If you have the Senior High School Graduation, you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex.

Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year.

Subject-specific knowledge

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Croatia

Typical offer	Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4.5 and 4.2
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Cyprus

Typical offer	Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 19 /20 and 18.5 /20 will be considered for first-year entry.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Czech Republic

Typical offer	Maturita with a good overall average.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Typical offer	Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Finland

Typical offer	Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result of at least EEEM, including English with grade M.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Typical offer	French Baccalauréat with overall final result of at least 13/20 to 14/20.
Additional requirements	In the French Baccalauréat you will need at least 14/20 in English.

Germany

Typical offer	German Abitur with an overall result of 1.8 to 2.0 or better.
Additional requirements	You will need a final result in your German Abitur of at least 14/15 in English.

Greece

Typical offer	Apolytirion with an overall average of at least 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

Apolytirion with an overall average of at least 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry.

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Typical offer	Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 5, 4 to 5, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Hungary

Typical offer	Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

India

Typical offer	Standard XII results 80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE) 80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE) 80% HSC Higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. (80%)

Typical offer

Standard XII results

80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE)
80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE)
80% HSC Higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. (80%)

Iran

Typical offer	High School Diploma and Pre-University Certificate.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ireland

Typical offer	Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H1,H2,H2,H3 to H1,H2,H2,H3,H3.
Additional requirements	Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level subjects must include English at grade H1.

Israel

Typical offer	Bagrut, with at least 8/10 in at least six subjects, including one five-unit subject.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Italy

Typical offer	Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 81/100 and 85/100.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Japan

Typical offer	Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate is suitable for entry to our Foundation Years. Find out more about Foundation Years.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Latvia

Typical offer	Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lithuania

Typical offer	Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80-90% in at least three state examinations (other than English).
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Luxembourg

Typical offer	Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia

Typical offer	Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of AAB-ABB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.5 or UEC with an overall average grade B3 (75%).
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Netherlands

Typical offer	Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nigeria

Typical offer	You are expected to have one of the following: Higher National Diploma One year at a recognised Nigerian University Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria Advanced Diploma You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

You are expected to have one of the following:

Higher National Diploma
One year at a recognised Nigerian University
Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria
Advanced Diploma

You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English.

Subject-specific knowledge

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Typical offer	Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of between 4 to 4.5
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Pakistan

Typical offer	You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies. You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies.

You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Poland

Typical offer	Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects including Literature in the 75th percentile.

Typical offer

Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects including Literature in the 75th percentile.

Portugal

Typical offer	Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark of between 17/20 and 18/20.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

Romania

Typical offer	Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average of 8.5 including a score of 8 in a Literature subject.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Typical offer	A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Slovakia

Typical offer	Maturitna Skuska or Maturita with honours, normally including scores of 1 in at least three subjects.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Slovenia

Typical offer	Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 25 points overall.
Additional requirements	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

South Africa

Typical offer	National Senior Certificate with very good grades.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Typical offer	Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result of at least 8.0.
Additional requirements	You will need at least 8/10 in English.

Sri Lanka

Typical offer	Sri Lankan A-levels.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sweden

Typical offer

Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects and to include grade A in Literature studies.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Typical offer	Federal Maturity Certificate.
Subject-specific knowledge	You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Typical offer

We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1.

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

USA

Typical offer

We look at your full profile taking into account everything you are studying, including the high school graduation diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades We are particularly interested in AP tests and would ideally like to see 3 good AP scores

Advanced Placement Tests with scores of between 5,5,4 to 5,4,4 in three subjects.

If you have taken the SAT reasoning tests we'd normally expect a combined score of at least 1300 and will look for around 600 in relevant subject tests.

If you've taken the ACT we'd expect to see a composite score of at least 26.

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature.

My country is not listed

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.

If you are applying for degree-level study we can consider your IELTS test from any test centre, but if you require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for an English language or pre-sessional English course (not combined with a degree) the test must be taken at a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)-approved IELTS test centre.

Find out more about IELTS

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency.

Pearson (PTE Academic)

62 overall, including at least 56 in all four skills.

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic).

TOEFL (iBT)

88 overall, including at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT).

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language

German Abitur

A score of 12 or above in English.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A – C in English

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

Admissions information for applicants

Selection workshop	Yes
Transfers into Year 2	Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

Don’t meet our entry requirements?

If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:

Arts and Humanities (with a foundation year) BA (Hons)

Book on an Open Day

Back to Course menu

Modules

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Year 1 at Sussex
Year 2 at Sussex
Study abroad or Placement
Year 3 at Sussex

These modules are running in the academic year 2019/20. We also plan to offer them in future academic years. They may become unavailable due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Core modules

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

Core modules

Autumn teaching

Approaches to Contemporary Performance

Options

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

Placement (optional)

A placement is a great way to network and gain practical skills. When you leave Sussex, you’ll benefit from having the experience employers are looking for. Find out more about placements and internships.

Please note: If you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of this program with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Core modules

Autumn teaching

Issues and Perspectives in Contemporary Performance

Options

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

Book on an Open Day

Back to Course menu

Our staff

“For me, teaching is a chance to engage in a collective conversation, and that’s renewed with every student I encounter.” Sara Jane BailesLecturer in Contemporary Theatre and Performance

Drama, Theatre and Performance

Dr Sara Jane Bailes

Reader in Theatre & Performance Studies

Research interests

Theatre and performance studies

View Sara Jane Bailes’s profile

Prof Gavin Butt

The Attenborough Chair in Drama: Theatre and Performance

Research interests

American Visual Art, Contemporary Performance, Performance And Live Art, Popular Music, Punk and Post-Punk, Queer studies, Queer Theory, Theatre and performance studies, Visual arts, visual cultures

View Gavin Butt’s profile

Dr Augusto Corrieri

Lecturer in Drama, Theatre & Performance

Research interests

anthropocene, art and ecology, conceptual art, Conceptual dance, Contemporary Performance, Magic and performance, Performance Art, Theatre and performance studies

View Augusto Corrieri’s profile

Dr Benjamin Fowler

Lecturer in Drama, Theatre and Performance

Research interests

Adaptation, Contemporary Performance, Directing Practices, Dramaturgy, Early Modern Drama in Performance, european theatre, german theatre, Theatre Directing

View Benjamin Fowler’s profile

Dr William McEvoy

Senior Lecturer in English

Research interests

Contemporary Performance, Creative and critical writing, Cultural and Critical Theory, Modern and Contemporary Literature and Art, Playwriting, Site-specific theatre and performance, Theatre and Ethics, Theatre Directing

View William McEvoy’s profile

Mrs Lisa Peck

Lecturer in Theatre and Performance Practice

View Lisa Peck’s profile

Dr Jason Price

Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Theatre and Performance

Research interests

Activist Performance, Aesthetics and Politics, Comedy, Contemporary Theatre, Dramaturgy, Performance Histories, popular culture, Popular Entertainment, Popular Theatre, Puppet Forms, Site-Specific and Public Art, Theatre History

View Jason Price’s profile

Dr Arabella Stanger

Lecturer in Drama: Theatre and Performance

Research interests

Choreography, Dance, Gender and Sexuality, race and racism, Social and political theory, space, Theatre and performance studies

View Arabella Stanger’s profile

English

Prof Peter Boxall

Professor of English

Research interests

Modernist and contemporary writing

View Peter Boxall’s profile

Prof Sara Crangle

Professor of Modernism and the Avant-Garde

Research interests

Abjection, Affect Studies, Archives and Editing, Avant-Gardism, Bataille, Bathos, Dada, Everydayness, Experimental Poetry, Futurism, Gertrude Stein, Grace Lake/Anna Mendelssohn, High and Late Modernism, James Joyce, Levinas, Mina Loy, Nietzsche, Phenomenology, Satire, Virginia Woolf, Wyndham Lewis

View Sara Crangle’s profile

Prof Matthew Dimmock

Professor of Early Modern Studies

Research interests

English literature 1500-1700, History, Islam, Otherness, Prophet Muhammad

View Matthew Dimmock’s profile

Dr John Masterson

Lecturer in World Literatures

Research interests

20th and 21st Century Literature and Art, African American literature and culture, African diasporas, American immigrant literature, apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa, English and American literature, Literary And Cultural Theory, Literature of Exile, Migrant and Diasporic Literature, Postcolonial Literature, Postcolonial Literature and Culture, Postcolonial Literature and Theory, postcolonial studies, South and Southern Africa, World literatures

View John Masterson’s profile

Dr Catherine Packham

Reader in English

Research interests

Adam Smith, Eighteenth-century culture, Erasmus Darwin, Gender and Sexuality, History of political economy, History of science, Mary Wollstonecraft, Political economy, Scottish Enlightenment, Vitalism

View Catherine Packham’s profile

Prof Carol Watts

Professor of Literature and Poetics

View Carol Watts’s profile

Apply now

Back to Course menu

Fees

Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2020. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Additional costs

The Additional Fees below are for the academic year 2019/20, to give you an idea of the additional costs you may have to pay on this course. All costs are best estimates based on market values at the time they are published. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out tips for budgeting as a student.

Theatre trips

The School pays the cost of theatre tickets, but you’ll need to pay for travel to the theatre. In the case of drama placements (professional work experience) you will also cover your own travel.

Spectacular Imaginings: Renaissance Drama and the Stage 1580-1640 module

The School covers the cost of tickets and workshops at the Globe for the Spectacular Imaginings module, but students must pay for travel.

Trips

There are occasional trips to museums, galleries and cultural partners. Travel is not normally reimbursed but can be subsidised depending on the project.

Sussex Writes

Students who lead creative writing workshops in secondary schools will have their travel and other costs covered.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2020.

Book on an Open Day

Back to Course menu

Careers

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates have found jobs as:

freelance theatre director, The Gate (JMK award winner)
poet and playwright, The Roundhouse (Live Canon Poetry prize winner)
media and project co-ordinator, Young Start-up Talent.

(Drama, Theatre and Peformance careers database)

Your future career

Studying Drama and English means being exposed to a range of perspectives from multidisciplinary and flexible subjects.

You’ll develop practical careers skills including critical assessment, effective communication, independent thinking and problem-solving. These skills are transferable, and you can use your degree to go on to further study or to pursue a career in:

theatre and performing arts
media, film and journalism
publishing, marketing and PR.

Working while you study

Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

“Sussex has taken me on a journey that includes teaching Drama in Budapest and working as a film researcher.” Rosa SaundersDrama Studies and English BA

Career ambitions – John Giannini, Drama, Theatre and Performance BA

Book on an Open Day

Return to top of page

Drama and English BA (Hons)

Key information

Entry requirements

A-level

Other UK qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects (including A-level mixes)

International Baccalaureate

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)

Scottish Highers

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

International Baccalaureate

European Baccalaureate

Other international qualifications

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Canada

China

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

India

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malaysia

Netherlands

Nigeria

Norway

Pakistan

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

USA

My country is not listed

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

Pearson (PTE Academic)

TOEFL (iBT)

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

GCE O-level

GCSE or IGCSE

German Abitur

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level

West African Senior School Certificate